Machine for sealing envelops.



E. J. BRASSBUR.

MACHINE FOB. SEALING ENVBLOPS. APPLICATION FILED 111111.28, 1907.

945,745. Patented Jan 11, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

E. J. BRASSEUR.

MACHINE POR SEALING ENVELOPS.

APPLIUATION FILED MAB. 2s, 1907.

Patented Jan. 11, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Y @Lt/nefasto E. J. BRASSEUR.

MACHINE FOR SEALING BNVELOPS.

APPLIoATIoN FILED 1111.28, 1907.

4 sHBBTs-sHBET '3.

E. J'. BRASSEUR.

MACHINE FOR SEALING ENVELOPS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. ze, 1907.

945,745. y Patented Jan. 11,1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

@Vit-110mm: (Jawa u Foz J' Ewaljhl fotncu i sealing UNITED STATESY PATENT OFFICE. ,ERNEST J.` Russin-run, `ononiicaeo,ILLINoIst AssIGNon To A. B. D101: COMPANY, or

'i carencia,v InnrNoIs, a -conrona'rron or ILLINoIs.

nAcHINE rio-B SEALING ENvnLors.

Specioation ci! Lettersratent. l Patented Jan. 11, 1910.

To all whom "it may concern:

Be it known that I, Ihnvnsi` J. BnAssnUR, a. subject ofI the Kingof Belgium, reslding atQChicago, in the 'countyof Abool; and State of Illinois, have invented a certainf new and -useful Improvementin Machines for Sealing-Envelope, of which the following is. a specification.

This invention relates to machines' for envelops, and its ob]ect is to providey amac iine for this purpose which is efficient and reliable in operation, which can be run at comparatively high speed, and which is entirely automaticY in its operation.

In the machine is'employed a vreceptacle for the unsealed envelops, in which, the envelops are constantly `pressed forward and which is provided 'withside-guides-and bot-V tom supports arranged. to permit adjust-,

ment thereof in order to adapt the machine for operationwith 'envelops of various sizes. A flap-,turning member is arranged to reciprocate adjacent to the forward end of this receptacle and to turn the'- flap of the for ward envelop each time it is 'reci rocated vuntil that flap liesin substantially t esame plane as the body-portion of the envelop. When in this position, the fiap ofthe envelop is gripped by forwardn devices and carried through the machine, t eap bein moistened as the envelop is so forwarde -These forwarding'devices may consist of rolls which press the flap against the body,-

Aportion of the envelop to seal it, or such pressure on the Hap-may, be exerted after .the envelops are deposited in the sealed-envelop rece tacle. The machine may be driven by han or bya suitable power-operated device, and is entirely automatic in its action, the operators sole duties bein to insert stacks o envelope in the u nseale `envelop receptacle and remove them from the scaled-envelo receptacle when the latter is filled.y

T e preferred embodiment of the invention isi lustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-J f Figure 1 is a ltop View of the machine;

18. This adjustin has a base 1 and's'ide-frames 2 and 3 erected thereon; theoperating parts ofthe machine alllie between and are. supported upon these side-frames,` with the exception of the` receiver for the unsealedenvelops, which rests: upon the. base. l. between the side-frames.

This `receiver consists of a frame, 4 having upright posts 5. at the corners thereof, the' two posts at the sides of the frame carr ing rails 6 and 7 at their upper ends. Eac of these rails is inclined throughout the greater portion of its length, and beyond 'the upper end of this inclined portion is provided with an extension the' upper surfacey of which is The rail 7 forms one side-guide concave. forv astack of envelope 8 (Fig. 3),;-the other side-guide, 9, isadjustable toward andi away from the guide 7, yin order to adapt the machine for operation with envelopsfof varying sizes.v This guide9 consists oa rail having integral depending arms lcarrying a mernf4 'ad 'usted position.

xtending inwardly from one of the posts i 5 atthe side of the receptacle on which the rail 7 is mounted, isV astud 14 (Fig. 3) von which is pivotally mounted a support 15; the other end of this sup ort has a depending finger 16 extending t rough a slot in a stud 17 on the' forward'post 5 at that side of the receptacle, to guide the support in its movements about its pivot., the stud 14. A similar support 18`is pivotally mounted upon aV stud 18 extending inwardly from the side-.guide 9, and the forward end yof this support is similarly guided by'al slotted stud 17 projecting fromvthe rail 9. The forward ends of the pivoted support-s 15 and 18 rest upon a bail 19,.the ends of which are pivoted upon the frame 4. An adjusting device cotperates -with this bail to turn it about its pivots and thus raise or lower the forward or` free ends ofthe supports 15 and device consists of a rod' 20 (Figs. 2 andj4') l, aving a bent 'end 20 ex tending around one of the sidemembers of buil 19 anda hand-nut 21.'y threaded upon the end of rod 20 and engaging the supporting guide 9, so as .to be laterally adjustable` lli frame 21 therefor to move the rodl axially and thus turn the bail 1,9 on its pivots. The envelops to be sealed and stamped are placed upon the supports 15 and 18 and by means of the adjustment device above described the upper edge of the forward envelop may be adjusted to the desired level, regardless ot the size of the envelop. L

Extending between the posts at, the 'for-* ward end of the receptacle, is a `plate '22 having an upwardly extending arm-22 at one side thereof. A corresponding arm .23 is secured to the forward end of the sidetherewith. The sup orts and 18 arey so adjusted vertically tiat the flap of the end one of the unsealed envelops resting thereon will be free of plate 22 and will extend out vover the same at a slight angle to the body portion of the envelop. All of the envelopsk are stacked in the receptacle with their flaps toward the plate 22 so that whenfthe forward envelop is withdrawn the next sucupon the shaft 429' is a cam 31.

ceeding o ne will assume this position. A follower-block 24 is adapted to move back and forth upon the rails 6 and 7, the block for this purpose having pairs of grooved rollers 24 at its sides adapted to run on the upper'edges of the rails 6 and 7. VThis follower-block is of considerable weight and when its forward side bears againstv a stack of unsealed envelops resting upon the supports 15 and 18, as shown in Fig. 4, it presses the forward envelop against the plate 22 with considerable pressure. )Vhen placing a pile ofenvelops in position in the unsealedenvelop receptacle, the follower 24 may bel 2 to carry the hand-Wheel 25 upon its end.'

The shaft 26 has a gear 26 secured thereon, meshing with a gear 27 mounted for rotation upon a stud 27 upon the side-frame 2, and gear 27 meshes w1th a pinion 28 similarly mounted for rotation upon a stud 28. This pinion 28 meshes with a gear 2 9 secured upon a shaft 29'; also secured A link 32 is pivotally connected eccentrically to the outer face of the cam 31 and at its .lowe rend is-connected to a'lever 33 pivoted at 33 'to the side-frame 2. A similar lever'34fi's pivotally mounted lupon the opposite side-frame 3. At their forward or free ends, these`leve`rsh33 and 34 carry a vthis way is so shapedthatwhen the levers 33 and 34 are turned about their pivots, the

upper edge of the member 35 is moved vertically through a short distance until it enters between the flap and body-portion of. the forward envelop and then is raised and moved away from the body-portionof the envelop, so that member 35 lirst moves under the flap and then movesthe flap out from the body-portion and turns it until it rojects upwardly from the body-portion o the envelop.

Between the side-frames 2 and 3, the shaft l 26 carries a forwarding-roller 37. Directly opposite this rollerr is a coperating forwarding-roller 37', and below the latter is a roller 38. A plurality of endless belts 38 run upon the rollers 37 and 38, the periphery of the roller 37 being preferably grooved circumferentially to receive these belts so as to provide a smooth surface upon the roller along the line of coaction with theroller 37. The rollers 37 and 38 are journaled at ltheir ends in bearings formed in support-s 39, (Figs. 2 and 3), which are plvoted at 39- to a guard 40 secured to the side-frames. A link 41 is pivotally connected at one-end to' one of the supports 39 and at the other end to the free end of a link 42 pivoted on a stud projecting inwardly from the side-frame 2, and mounted on the pivot connecting the links 41 and 42 is a roller 42" which bears upon the surface of the cam 31 on the shaft 29. Roller 42 is held in engagement with cam31 by a springY 41 (Fig. 3) on the opposite side ofthe machine, secured at one end to the member 39 and at the other to a stud projecting inwardly from the side-frame 3, vMounted for rotation 'upon the pivot 39 of the support 39, is a gear 43 which meshes with the gear 27 and is driven thereby, and this gear 43 also meshes witha gear 43 on the shaft f of the forwardingroller 37 so that' rotary motion iscommunicated from gear 27 to the forwarding-roller-37 in any position of the supports 39 and from that roller to the roller 38 by the belts 38. Above the forwarding-rollers 37 and 37 is another air of forwarding-rollers 44 and 44 carrie by shafts the ends of which are journaled in bearingsin the side-frames 2 and 3 and the guard 40 secured to the frames. The shaft of roller 44 carries a gear 45 which meshes with the gear 27 and thelshaft of roller 44 carries a gear 45 which `meshes with the 4 iso f gear 43, so that this pair of .forwarding-v rollers are driven whenever the forwarding-rollers -37 and .37 arey driven. These rollers 44 and 44 are preferably rubbercovered and are of sectional form, as shown in Fig. 4. The Sections ofthe roller' 44 preferably have the'shape `of spools, so as y not to press upon the envelops too hard as the sealing offthe envelops is effected in the sealed-envelop rece tecle, but if desired,

, these .sections may e cylindrical and may mounted upon a 'bar 47 extending between the side-frames, and consists of a trough 48 for holding water, a wick 48 and a moistening-roller 49, t0 which the water is carried by the wick. The roller 49 llas a soft absorbent surface'and is mounted for rotation inthe sides of the trough 48. At one end of the roller 49 the shaft thereof carries a pinion 49', which mesheswith the gear 50l that they can be readily removed. Pivotally mounted A swinging loosely thereon, are two arms 51 upon thel shaft of roller 44 and carrying a presser-roller 52 adapted to hold the flap of an envelop against the moistening-roller 49. yOne of these arms 51 is eX- tended upwardly, asvshown at 51 Fig. 3.

' and is pivotally connected to a link 52,"the

opposite end of which is pivotally connected to one cnd ofv a link 522 pivoted upon the frame of the machine and carrying at its opposite end-'a roller bearing upon the pe riphery of a ycam 53. The roller is held against the periphery of the cam by a spring 5 1,2 secured at one end to the link 522 and at the otherV to the frame. The cam 53 is mounted upon shaft 29 and therefore makes one revolutioir' each 'time` the flapturnin,f,l,fl

member is reeiprocated.

On the shaft of the roller 44, lalongside the -gear 45, is a pinion 54 meshing with an idler-pinion 54', which meshes with a gear mounted on a stub-shaft 55 on the side frame 2. This stub-shaft also carries a mutilated gear 56 and a notched disk 56. The

mutilated gear' 56 is adapted to mesh with a pinion 57 secured on a `shaft 58 mounted for'rotation in suitable bearings secured on the side-frames.` ,At the side of the gear 57,'

'is a disk '57 having a tooth .u- (Fig. 5) which coactsr with the notched disk 56 on the stub-shaft 55, to lock shaft 58v against revolution, due to the coacting of the mutishaft 58 is a finger 59, which, when the shaft is rotated, engages a stud 59 on a vrockshaft 60, one end of which -ismounted for be moved under the lower edge of van envelop just as that edge is passing out from between the forwarding-rollers 44 and 44 and lift the envelop to the level of the sealedenvelop receptacle. The shape of these lifters is shown in Figs. 3 and l5 from which it will be seen that each has a finger adapted to -rest upon the shaft of the forwarding-roller 44 between the sections of that roller'. The

lifters 61 are normally held in the positiony in which they are shown in Fig. 3 by the spring 60', but when Vthe mutilated gear 56 engages the pinion and rotates shaft 58 through one complet-e revolution, the finger 59 engages the stud 59 and rocks shaft -60 against the tension of spring 60' through nearly a quarter of a revolution. At the conclusion of this movement of the lifters, thevngers at theends thereof `pass through slots in the forward` edge of the `sealedenvelop receptacle `62, these slots" being shown at 62 Fig. 1.

The tray 62 consists of a sheet-metal plate flanged u wardly at its rear and lateral edges, supporte upon the side-frames ofthe machine and upon a bar 63 extending between the frames., A vertically disposed rear wallplate 64 is adapted to move over the upper face of the tray 62 and is pressed forwardly by a spring. For this purpose, the wallplate 64 has an integral horizontal extension at-the lower edge thereof, in which are-slots to receive and permit movement `of a pair of of links 65 which are pivotally connected at their rear ends to the ends of a pairY of similar. links 65. The rear-endsof these links have studs thereon vpassing through slots in the tray 62 and connected by a spiral spring 66. Also, the llinks 65 are pivotally connected at the center thereof and this pivot extends through a slot in the tray 62 extending lengthwise thereof. By means of this construction, the springl 66 `acts upon the links to draw them toward a position of parallelism and thus `constantly press the wallplate 64 forwardly upon the tray 62. At its forward edge, the tray 62 hasa downwardly turned ange 67, and, directlyT in rear of this, a plurality of openings 67 Fig. 1). One member of a hinge 68 is secured to the rear side of the fiange 67, adjacent to lated'gear 56 and the pinion 57. Secured on each of the openings 67', and the movable member of each hinge is pressedupwardly throu h the opening 67 byla suitable sprin orward wall-plate 69 of the seale .envelop receptacle 1s movable from a The sitonto the r1 ht of thel hinges 68 in lFig. 3 asishown b t e dotted lines, to the position shown in t at figure in lfull lines to the left of the h inges,and for this purpose. is carried by arms 69' adapted to reciprocate in guides- 70 formed on' the side-frames. Pivotally connected to the ends of these armsare links -70l (Figs. 1l and 3 the endsof which are ivotally connecte eccentrically, to disks 1 on the ends of the shaft 58. Extending between the sideframes,. di rectly `above the shaft 58, is a bar 72having a slot therein through which extends the shank-of a hand-4` nut 72"` for securing'to the .bar 72, inv any adjusted position, a strip 73 havin arms'exltendin outwardly therefrom an carryin pivote fingers 73 which can be turne about their pivots upwardly from the posi tion'shown 1n Fi 3, but not downwardly.

The vertical wa l-plate 69 has o enings therein, as shown in Figs.- 3 and 4, t rough which the fingers 73 may pass when the wall-plate is reciprocated,

, envelop.

, .As thus constructed, the pile of unsealed envelops is placed in the receptacle therefor as above described and pressed forwardly therein by the'follower-block 24. The driveshaft 26 is then rotated by means of the hand-wheel thereon, and through the gearing 2 6', 27,'A 28 4and 29, drives the cam 31, and-.by means of the link'32 and levers 33 reciprocates `the flap-turning member; 35.l

This member .when raised vertically catches -under the flapy of the forward envelop and then moves outwardly and upwardly, turning the ila about. the body-portion of the s these movements progress, the cam 31 actuates link ,41 to turn the members 39 about their pivots 39 and thus move the rollers 37 and 38 away from the roller 37. At the same time, the rollers 37 and 38 are rotated by means of the gears 27l 43 and-43', land the belts 38. The end o lthe flap of the envelop, when turned out- )of t forwardin r wardly by the member 35, is caught by the belts 38 and carried upwardly thereby until itlies in substantially the same pllane as the @body-portion of the envelop. he rollers '37" and 38 are then moved to the right in Fig. 3 by 'the spring 41, this movement being permitted by the cam 31, and the 'end e between theenvel' flap is grip ed dllers'37 and 37. The rotation of these ro lersbeing continued by the gearing as abovedescribed, the envelop is drawn upward] .from the envelop. pile ,in the receptace and assed upwardly along l the' plate 46.

s the body-portion of the envelo -enters between the ,forwaidin -rol ers 37 and 37', the flap, being then eased, turns ata slight angle to the `pressure of the rol -a good contact o tically upward alon tween that plateau the vstud 59 on shaft. 60 and rocks t and raise the-envelop unti aanval` plane of the body-portion and passes between the moistening-p'rollerl 49 .and the` presser-roller 52, it beinguided,"if neces- 'ft e sarv, by the edge of moistener tray, and when a portlon of the body of the envelop has passed between the rollers 37 and has passed between the moistening, an

pressin rollers. The roller 52 is then moved tothe eft 'in Fi 3 by the cam 53, as hereinbefore des'cried, to cause the gummed portion of the flap to mo`ve down .upon theroller 49, which is kept moist by the wick 48 and water suppl7 in the trough 48. The

er 52 upon the flap is very light, it being the gummed portion of the flap with-themoistening-roller 49. The moisteningroller -49 is rotated throughout this movement of the `envelop by gear 50 and inion 49', this rotation ofthe-roller insuring proper moistening of the gum uponv the-flap. The continued rotation of the forwarding-rollers 37 and 37causes the body-portion of the `envelo the p ate 46 and bepresse'r-roller 52, the flap of the .envelo bein drawn from. between the presser-ro er an ing-roller as the` upward movement, of the bodyortion progresses. Finally,the upper e ge of the envelop is'gripped between the forwarding-rollers 44 and 44,'and.the

envelop` 'is carried along in its u ward movement thereby.4 The pressurefjo these two forwarding-rollers upon the envelo need not be sufficient to effect .a reliab e4 only necessary to insure` to move ver'- the moisten- 37 'the enti-rey gummedv portion of the Hag sealingof .the envelop, this sealing being performed in the sealed-envelop -rece tacle. As the bodyportion of the enve op is gripped by the forwarding-rollers 44 and 44', the forward wall plate 69 of the receptacle is inthe. forward position, as indcated bythedotted lines in Fi 3, so that the envelop Acan pass up in rear -o this plate.

passes from between the rollers 44v and4'4 the mutilated gear` 56 comesinto meshrwith the pinion-57 and thus actuates shaft5 8 to make-ione' revolution. At the beginning of this revolution, the member 59 engages 'the at shaft against the tension of sprjng60, this' rocki ing movement of shaft 60 causin the fingers 61 to turn about the 'axis of t e`A shaft as a pivot. In makin this-turnin' movement, the lingers at the vlower ends o the lifters 61 take under the loweredge of the envelop the fingers pass through the slots62 in the plate 62. l As the turnin movement of shaftcontinues, the

wall-p ate 69'is moved rearwardly by means of thejdisks 1, links 70 andar-ms 69', and

carries the envelop with it yto the" osition- -shown in full lines in -Fig.,`3. t

e wall- 110 Just as the vlower edgeof they-envelop.-`

plate 69 Vis thus moved, the envelop engages the ngers 73 and the movable members ofthe hinges 68 and turns theseA parts uponV their pivots, but as soon as the` envelop at the rear side of plate 69 passes them they return to their initial positions, ,the fingers 73 'under the influence of gravity and the movable membersofthe hinges 68 under the tension of their springs. As the one revolution yof shaftI 58. is completed, the. plate 69 is:` returned to its. initial position, that shown in dotted lines in. Fig. 3; but the envelop is not returned with it, as its lower edge is 'eaughtby the hinges 68 and its upper edge by the fingers 73. As soon as the walllate 69 has moved the envelop upon the p ate 62, the stud 59 is released by the member`59 and the rock-shaft 60 carrying the lifters 61 is then returned to its original position by the spring 60', the fin ers of the lifters then resting upon the sha t of roller 44 between the sections of that roller. All the parts are then in position to receive and forward the Vnext succeedin envelop. As the pile of envelops upon t e plate 62 increases, the rear wall-plate 64 is moved backward against the tension of spring 66, and this spring at all times presses 'plate 64 forward and exerts suflicient pressure upon the-envelops yto insure eifectually sealing them.

The machine as thus constructed is well adapted for use inconjunction with an auto envelops only, many modilications may be appended claims. n Y

Having now described my. invention, what I claim as new therein and'desire to secure made 1n the construction and arrangement of the Parts without departing from the spirit o cations I aim to coverby the.A terms of the by Letters Patent is as follows combination of a`support for the unsealed envelops on said supportsuccessiyely, a pair of rollers for gripping the flap of each envelo when turned and forwarding the flap and) means for sealing'the envelop flaps, substantially asset fort l 2. In aVV machine for sealing envelops, the combination of a supportlfor the unsealed envelops, a flap-turning member, means for reciprocating the same to turn the flaps of the envelops on said supportsuccessively, a pair ofv rollers, means for rotating the same .sively, a pair of rollers, means for moving l rollers to et er to gri my invention, and all such modifivelop flaps, substantially as set forth. 1. In a maclnne .for seallng envelops, the

ody of the envelop between them, and

to rip thetlap of each envelop when turned ang forward the-envelop, and y'means for Sealing the envelop flap,substantially as set forth.

3..In a machine for sealing envelops, a support for the unsealed envelops, a flapturning member and means for moving said member between the flap and body of an envelop and 'then away from thebody of the envelop to turn the flap relatively thereto, substantially as set forth.

4.111 a machine for lsealin envelops, a supportfor the unsealed enve ops, a' reciprocating flap-turning) member, means for moving said member etween the'body and yfla of an envelop and then away from the bo of the envelop-to turn the flap relatively thereto, devices for gripping' the envelop flap when turned and forwarding the envelop, and means for sealing the envelop flaps, substantially as set forth 5. In a' machine for sealing envelops, a support for'theunsealed envelops, means for turning the flaps ofthe envelops successaid rollers relatively to` grip the flap of an envelop betweenv them when the flap\ is turned, and means for rotating said rollers to forward the envelop, substantially as set forth.

6. In ai machine for sealing envelops, the combination of a support for theunsealed l envelop, a flap-turning member, a pair of rollers, operating mechanism for separating said rollers, moving said member to turn the ila of an envelop,'b ringing said the flap of the envelop an rotating said rollers `to-forward theenvelop, and means for sealing the en velop ilaps,.substantially as set forth.

7. In a machine for sealing envelops, the combination of a support for the unsealed envelops, a flap-moistener, means for feeding the envelops successively from said supi port to the moistener,-a pressing member, means `for moving the same forward and away from the moistener to insure contact,l of the gummed portion of the flaps'with the moistener, and means for sealing the en- 8, In a machine for sealing envelops, `the combination of a support for the unsealed envelops, a flap-moistener, means for turninfr the ila s of the envelop successively into substantially' the same plane-as the lbody- 120 portions of the envelops, means for forwarding the envelops. to the moistener, a pressing member, means for operating the same to insure contact of the gummed portion of the flaps with the moistener, and means for sealing the envelopk flaps, substantially as set forth.

9. In an envelop-sealin machine, the combination of means for orwarding, an envelop with the Hap thereof lying in substan- 13d tially tha same plane Ias the body-portion, means for holding-the flap and forwarding the body-portion of the envelop to turn vthe flap relativel `to-the bod -portion, and delvices for sea ing the4 enve op flaps, substantially as set forth.

10. In an envelop sealing machine, i the -combination of means for forwarding an envelop with the a thereof lying in substantially the 'same ane as the body portion, ila -moistenng evices into coaction with which the flap of the envelop is carried, said flap being held by the fiap-moistening deu vices to turn it relative to body portion, and

V115 devices for sealing the envelop f iaps, sub- 225, tion of an envelop while the flap thereof is held'by said moistener andmember to turn the flap relatively to the body-portion, and devices for sealing Athe envelop flaps, substantially as set forth.

12.' In an Ienvelop-sealing machine, the combination of a support for the unsealed envelops, means for turning the ila s of the:

envelops successively relatively to t 1e bod portions-thereof, devices for forward-ing t e envelops successively with the flaps -thereof lying 1n substantial y the same plane as the bodyortions, means for holding the flap and orwarding the body-portion of each envelop to turn the flap relatively to the 40 body-portion, and devices for sealing the envelo ila'ps, substantial] as set forth. j

13. n an `envelop-sea ing machinethe combination of a support for the unsealed envelops, a reciprocatlng member forv turn` ,in the aps of'the envelops successively reatively to the bodyortions thereof, forwarding rollers movab e to grip the iaps of the venvelops successivelyl and forward the same with theilaps thereof lying in substantially the same plane as the bodv-portions, a moistener arranged to hold the a of each envelop while the body-portion t ereof is forwarded to turn the flap relatively to the body-portion, and devices 'for sealing the envelo flaps, substantially as set forth.

14. n an envelop-sealing machine, a pair of forwardin rollers, a receptacle, a plurality 'of pivota y mounted fingers, andmeans for operating said fingers intermittently to G0 causv them to carry an envelop from said rollers to said receptaclesubstantial1y `as set forth.

o 15, In an envelo -sealing machine, a pair of forwarding rol ers, a receptacle )having 65 slots therein, a plurality of pivotally mountfingers intermittently to move them slots in the forward edge t said ed lingers, and means for operating om a position adjacent to said rollers to a position 1n which they enter said slots, substantially- 16.r In an envelo -sealing machine, a pair of Vforwarding rol ers, a receptacle having slots therein, a plurality of pivotally mounted fingers, means' for operating said fingers intermittently to move them from a position adjacent to saidrollers to a position in which 'they /enter said slots, anda member movable to carry an envelop from said fingers upon sald receptacle, substantially as set forth.

17. In an envelo -sealing machine, av pair 30 of forwarding rol ers, av receptacle having slots in the forward edge thereof, a plurality of fingers, a forward wall-plate for said receptacle, and means for automatically oper'- atlngsaid fingers to move their ends from 35 positions adjacent to'said rollers to ositions 1n which they entersaid sl'ots and or operating'. said` wall-platefto. move an envelop from said fingers u on lsaid receptacle, substantially as set fortli. 18. In an envelo -sealing'machine, a pair of forwarding rol ers having circumferential .g'rooves therein, a rece tacle having liereof'- located above said rollers, sa' plurality oflingers, a`95- forward wall-plate for said receptacle, and means for operating said fin ers to lmove.

their ends .fromvpositions in w ich they enter said grooves to ositions in which the enter said slots and or operating said wal plate to move an envelopy from said lingers upon said receptacle, substantially as set forth. 19. In an envelop-sealing machine, a receptacle, a wall-plate therefor movable adjacent to one edge thereof, rollers for positively forwarding an envelop between said plate and said edge, means for rotating said rollers and means for moving said plate past said edge, substantially as set forth.

, 20. In an envelop-sealing machine, a receptacle, awall-plate therefor movable adjacent to one edgethereof, rollers for positively forwarding an envelop between said f plate. and said ed e, gearing for rotating saidrollers, means or moving said plate past said edge, a second wall-plate, and a spring for vpressing the rsame toward said firstnamed wall-plate, substantially as set forth.

21. In an envelop-sealing machine, a re- 120 ceptacle, a wall-plate therefor adjacent tov one edge thereof, .means for forwarding an envelop between said plate and said edge, means for reciprocatingl said plate to carry the envelop upon the receptacle, and pivotally mounted devices coacting with opposite edges of each envelop for.'preventing ackward movement thereof. with the wall-plate,

substantially as set'forth.

22.- In van envelop-sealing machine, a recent to one edge thereof, means for forwarding an envelop alongth face of lsaid plate,`

means for reciprocating the platev tomove the lenvelop upon the receptacle, and pivotr ally mounted devices coacting with opposite edges of each envelop for preventin backward movement thereof with the wall-plate, substantially as set forth.

23. In an envelop-sealing machine, a receptacle, aforward wall-plate therefor adjacent to one edge thereof, means for forwarding an envelop along the face of said plate, means for reciprocating the plate to move the envelopppon the receptacle, a second wall-plate, a spring for pressing the lsame toward said first-named wall-plate, and pivotally mounted devices coacting with op- Eosite edfges of each envelop for preventing ackwar movement thereof with the firstnamed' wall-plate, substantially as set forth. 24. In an envelop-sealing machine, a sealed-envelop receptacle comprising a baseplate, a wall-plate movable over the same, paired links plvotally connected and having pin-and-slot connections to said wall-plate, and a spring acting on said links to draw them to a osition of arallelism and move said wall-p ate over sa1d base-plate, substantially as set forth.

25. In an envelop-sealing machine, a receptacle, a forward wall-plate therefor adjacent to one edge thereof, means for forwarding an envelop along the face of said plate, means for reciprocating the plate to move the envelop upon the receptacle, devices coacting with opposite edges of an envelop for preventin backward movement of the envelop wit means for adjustin said devices toward and away from each ot er to coactwith opposite edges of envelops of different sizes, substantially as set forth.

26.`In an envelop-sealing machine, a receptacle, a spring-pressed pivoted member mounted at the forward edge thereof, a-wallplate movable adjacent to` said edge and aving an opening therein through which said member may pass, means for forwarding an envelop along the face of said wallplate, and means for reci rocating said wall- Blate to carry the enve op past 'said memr, the movement of `the envelop eeeted byv said (plate carrying it into engagement with sai member, turning the member on its pivot against the tension of its spring and-then releasing the member, substantially asset forth.

27. In an envelop-sealing machine, a receptacle, a wall-plate movable adjacent to one ed e thereof having an opening therethrougl, anvarm extending through said opening, a finger pivotally mounted upon the end of said arm, means for feedin an envelop along the face of said Wall-p ate and the wall-plate, and

means for reciprocating the plate to carry the envelop past said finger, substantially as set forth. v v

28. In a machine for sealing envelops, an unsealed-envelop receptacle comprising sideguides, means for adjusting the same toward and away from each other, supports on which the envelops rest, and means for adjusting said supports vertically, substantially as set forth.

29. In a machine for sealing envelops, an

-unsealed-envelop receptacle comprising, two

side-guides, means for adjusting the same toward and away from each other, two supports on which theenvelops rest each mounted stationarily with respect to one of said side-guides, and means for adjusting said supports'vertically, substantially as set' forth.

30. In a' machine for Asealing envelops, an unsealed-envelop receptacle comprising sideguides, means for adjusting the same toward and away from each other, supports on w ich the envelops rest pivotally mounted at one end, and means for holding said supports in various angular positions about their pivots, substantially as set forth.` I

31. In a machine for sealing envelops, an unsealed-envelop receptacle comprising sideguides, means for adjusting the same toward and away from each other, supports on which the envelo s rest pivotally mounted at one end, a pivotalJbail on which the free ends y of said supports rest, and means for ,holdin said bail in various angular positions, 'su stantially asset forth.

32. In an envelop sealing machine, a receptacle, an envelop-forwardingV device adjacent to one edge thereof, means for movin an envelop between said device and sai edge, means for reciprocating said device to carry the envelop upon the-'receptacle and means coacting with opposite edgesl of the envelops for preventing backward movement' thereof with the envelop forwarding device, said means coacting with theo posite ed es 11o of the envelops beingrelativeijT adjusta le to coperate with envelops of various sizes, substantially as set forth.

33. The combination of envelop forwarding means, a flap moistener, Hap sealing de- 1-15 vices', a support for the'sealed envelops, movable stops at one end of said'support, means for moving the'envelops upon said support and in front of said stops, a wall movable over said support, a lazytongs connected to 120 said wall and a spring acting on said lazytongs to move said wall in the direction to press' the envelops against said stops, substantially as set forth.

34. The combination of envelop forwardring means, a flap moistener, fiat sealing devices, a support for the sealed envelops, stops mounted above one end-of said support, means for adjusting said stops toward and away from said support, means for forwardsaid stops, substantially asset orth.

coacting with the fiaps of the envelops nrrecitlons lah Letters Patent No.945,745.

ing the envelops upon said support in front of said stops, a wall movable-over said sup? port and a .spring acting on saidyvall to press the envelops on the sup ort against 35.v In a machine for sealing envelops, the combination of means for supporting the unseal'ed envelops, means for turningthe flaps of the envelops successively, devices when turned for forwarding the envelops successivelyv with the flap of cach envelop 1n substantially the same plane as the bodyportion thereof, -and means for sealing the envelo fiaps, substantially as set forth.

36. n a machine for sealing envelops, the combination of means for supporting the unsealed envelops, means for turning the iiaps of the envelops successively, devices'for forwarding the envelops successively each with 'it i hereby @erased am in Leners in the Patent Otliee.

l (sin.)

Signed and sealed this 8th-day of February, A. D., 1910.

'the flap thereof in substantially the same plane as its body-portion, and means 'for sealing the envelop flaps, substantially as set forth. 37. In a machine for sealing envelops, the

combination of means forv supporting the ing the envelop flaps lto carry them into conj tact with the ,body portions of theenvelops and flap sealing devices, substantially asset fort-h.

This specification BRASSEUR.

Patent No. 955,745, gemaaid'January.111,1'-A 1-916, upon `the application of Ernest J. Brasseur, of l Chicago, Illinois, any improvement in "Machines for Sealing Envelope, errors appears inthe printed lspecification requiring correction, as follows: Page l5,' lines :98 and 119, the wordt? envelop should read envelope; and that the said Patent should be with these corrections therein `that the same may conform to the record ytlie case s. B. Moons, v

. 'signed and ,witnessed this 23rd day of March, 1907.

said stops, substantially asset orth.

coacting with the fiaps of the envelops nrrecitlons lah Letters Patent No.945,745.

ing the envelops upon said support in front of said stops, a wall movable-over said sup? port and a .spring acting on saidyvall to press the envelops on the sup ort against 35.v In a machine for sealing envelops, the combination of means for supporting the unseal'ed envelops, means for turningthe flaps of the envelops successively, devices when turned for forwarding the envelops successivelyv with the flap of cach envelop 1n substantially the same plane as the bodyportion thereof, -and means for sealing the envelo fiaps, substantially as set forth.

36. n a machine for sealing envelops, the combination of means for supporting the unsealed envelops, means for turning the iiaps of the envelops successively, devices'for forwarding the envelops successively each with 'it i hereby @erased am in Leners in the Patent Otliee.

l (sin.)

Signed and sealed this 8th-day of February, A. D., 1910.

'the flap thereof in substantially the same plane as its body-portion, and means 'for sealing the envelop flaps, substantially as set forth. 37. In a machine for sealing envelops, the

combination of means forv supporting the ing the envelop flaps lto carry them into conj tact with the ,body portions of theenvelops and flap sealing devices, substantially asset fort-h.

This specification BRASSEUR.

Patent No. 955,745, gemaaid'January.111,1'-A 1-916, upon `the application of Ernest J. Brasseur, of l Chicago, Illinois, any improvement in "Machines for Sealing Envelope, errors appears inthe printed lspecification requiring correction, as follows: Page l5,' lines :98 and 119, the wordt? envelop should read envelope; and that the said Patent should be with these corrections therein `that the same may conform to the record ytlie case s. B. Moons, v

. 'signed and ,witnessed this 23rd day of March, 1907.

Corrections in Letters Patent No. 945,745.

1t is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. $146,745, granted January 11,

1910, upon the application of Ernest J. Brasseur, of Chicago, Illinois, for an improvement in Machines for Sealing Envelope, errors appears in the print/ed I specification requiring correction, as envelop should read envelope; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these correcrtions therein `that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oliice.

Signed and sealed this 8th day of February, A. D., 1910.

* E. B. MOORE,

of Patente.

[sean] renews; Page 5, lines 9s and 11s, the were 

